14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 • TAIPEI TIMES BY Diane Baker D a n c e

stop Warming chestnuts for the festive season compiled BY Ian Bartholomew ancing snowflakes and cost of NT$10 million (US$309,000) Gulliver, the main character in upermodel Lin Chih-lin (林 Nutcrackers, battling mice — with a special performance Jonathan Swift’s 18th century novel 志玲) is getting an image and squabbling children, it’s last night to benefit a host of local Gulliver’s Travels. makeover with her role in Dthat time of year. For ballet lovers charities and orphanages. The foundation created the STreasure Hunter (刺陵), a big- around the world, if it’s December, The Nutcracker tells the story of NT$10 million (US$30,000) traveling budget action flick scheduled its Nutcracker season. Clara and the gift of a very special museum to help children learn about to open next week. This is her Although the ballet was nutcracker in the shape of a soldier human anatomy as well as Swift’s second role in a feature movie. considered a failure when it was first that she receives from her godfather classic tale. Clearly Lin is making the right performed in 1892, it has become at a Christmas Eve party at her Visitors enter the exhibition kind of moves because Treasure one of the most widely performed parent’s house. Act One centers on through a hole in Gulliver’s foot. Hunter (刺陵) stars Jay Chou (周 productions in the world. the party and Clara’s receiving her Inside are telephone-pole-sized 杰倫), features a high-profile cast The director of the Imperial gift. She sneaks back downstairs bones, a stomach full of food, a including Eric Tsang (曾志偉) and Mariinsky Theater in St Petersburg after the party to take another look large intestine laid out like a maze, a Chen Dao-ming (陳道明) and is commissioned Alexandre Dumas at her new doll but falls asleep under pumping heart and lungs that blow directed by Kung Fu Dunk (功夫 to adapt German author E.T.A. the Christmas tree. She awakens to air. You can climb up into the giant’s 灌籃) director Chu Yin-ping (朱延 Hoffman’s story The Nutcracker find herself surrounded by the Mouse head for a close up view of his teeth, 平). This is a significant shift from and the Mouse King into a story King and his troops. The Nutcracker including some cavities, nostrils and Lin’s previous role as Xiao Qiao for a ballet, which was set to a comes to her defense, leading a brains and a stairway that takes you in John Woo’s (吳宇森) Red Cliff score by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. French group of toy soldiers. The Nutcracker up onto his forehead for a Lilliputian (赤壁). In Treasure Hunter, Lin choreographer Marius Petipa emerges victorious, with help from view of the entire balloon. casts off her demur demeanor Above: Vic Chou took first place in Apple choreographed the two-act ballet. Clara, and turns into a prince. “Older brother and sister” guides and takes up sword and spear Daily’s poll for Taiwan’s hottest man. Below: While Tchaikovsky’s luscious The prince whisks Clara away are on hand to explain the internal in a martial role akin to that of Lin Chi-lin is looking to become Taiwan’s The Nutcracker Suite was a hit as to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy workings of humans. The tour takes Angelina Jolie’s Laura Croft. answer to Laura Croft. Photos: Taipei Times a concert piece, Petipa famously — sometimes called the Kingdom 10 to 15 minutes. At a press conference in complained that the ballet score was of the Sweets — which is where The exhibition is recommended Singapore to promote the film, In regard to his directorial style, too difficult to dance to. It languished Act Two opens. This is the section for children aged 3 and up, Lin said that she gave herself Wang said he wanted to be a in the Russian repertoire — and that of the ballet that has all the most however, it is not baby stroller or a seven out of 10 for her director like Ang Lee, someone of a few other companies — until recognizable melodies and dances: wheelchair accessible. performance. Lin garnered mixed who didn’t have to resort to New York City Ballet choreographer the Spanish, Arabian and Russian Gulliver was exhibited in the reviews for her presence in Red shouting at people on set. “I’m not George Balanchine created a new dances, the Waltz of the Flowers and Wenshin Forest Park in Taichung Cliff, but on this occasion she very good at telling people off,” he production for his troupe in 1954. the wonderfully grand Sugar Plum in April. The exhibition opened in has certainly impressed other was quoted as saying. Balanchine’s production continues Fairy pas de deux. Taipei yesterday and runs through cast members, including Chou, Wang — once regarded as one to be a staple of the holiday season Even if you don’t want to dance Jan. 3. It is open from 9am to 9pm with her energy and eagerness of the hottest men in the Chinese- in New York City and the foundation yourself, this is one ballet that is and admission is NT$50. to learn. The United Daily News language entertainment industry for various other versions of the almost impossible not to like. The Paperwindmill Cultural quoted Chou as saying: “When a — is nowhere to be seen in the PERFORMANCE notes: show around the world. If you go to The Nutcracker this Foundation, a non-profit organization beautiful woman fights, it looks Apple Daily’s poll of best looking This year the National weekend — or even if you don’t, take for the performing arts, especially good no matter what. That’s the men, with heartthrob Vic Chou (周 WHAT: The Nutcracker, Grand Dance Theater, Grand Taiwan University of Arts has some time to go through the Discover children’s theater, created Gulliver important point.” Perhaps Chou 渝民) of boy band F4 fame taking Symphony Orchestra of National Taiwan University of stepped forward to provide a the Gulliver (紙風車格列佛人體藝術探索 as a gift for the children of Taiwan, wasn’t being so complimentary the top spot. Singer Jerry Yan Arts true Christmas treat for dance 館) exhibition erected this week in the but like The Nutcracker, he’s really about Lin’s talent after all. Lin (言承旭) took second place, and WHEN: Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, tomorrow lovers and children in Taipei. The plaza between the National Theater for all ages. also took it upon herself to write Ethan Ruan (阮經天) third. Takeshi and Sunday at 2:30pm school’s Grand Dance Theater and and the Concert Hall. the lyrics for the film’s theme Kaneshiro (金城武) placed fourth. WHERE: National Theater (國家戲劇院), 21-1, Zhongshan Grand Symphony Orchestra are The 60m-long, 7m-high, 12 song. Chou, who composed The 36-year-old actor is doing S Rd, Taipei City (台北市中山南路21-1號) performing The Nutcracker at the tonne inflatable Gulliver’s Exhibition the music, dispensed with the well to have kept his place in the admission: The only tickets left are NT$1,200 and National Theater tonight through Paper Windmill Museum, notes: services of Vincent Fang (方文 top five lookers despite his age. NT$1,600 for tonight and tomorrow and NT$1,600 for Sunday afternoon. They kicked off was made by the Paper 山), the much sought-after Fifth place went to their production — which boasts Windmill Cultural Mark Sunday, available through NTCH ticketing or online at WHAT: Discover the Gulliver (紙風車格列 lyricist, after seeing Lin’s Chao (趙又廷) of the recent more than 200 performers, brand Foundation in the www.artsticket.com.tw 佛人體藝術探索館) efforts. “Next time we hit cop shop series Black new costumes and scenery at a shape of Lemuel won’t have to book Fang,” & White (痞子英雄). WHEN: Now through Jan. 3, open 9am to 9:30pm daily Chou said. “He always has On the romantic Above: Dancers rehearse for the National Taiwan University of Arts’ festival production of The Nutcracker. so much work on hand.” front, Jolin Tsai (蔡依 WHERE: NTCH plaza, 21-1, Zhongshan S Rd, Below left: Gulliver outside the National Concert Hall. Below right: Inside Gulliver. 台北市中山南路 號 With Treasure Hunter, 林) is back on the prowl Taipei City ( 21-1 )  Photos courtesy of National Taiwan University of Arts dance department, and Hu Shun-hsiang, Taipei Times Chou’s bid to make it and Next Magazine Admission: NT$50, available at the site (to in the movie business, reports that following control the number of visitors, online sales on both sides of the her traumatic have been discontinued) between 9am camera, is clearly breakup with and 8pm being established. Eddie Peng (彭 Another singer 于晏), she has who has dabbled picked up with in acting — and model Godfrey who now wants Kao (高以翔). to take the According to Next, director’s chair — is Kao is keeping a Wang Leehom (王力宏). low profile on his According to the United conquest as Tsai’s Daily News, Wang has former boyfriend quietly begun shooting in Peng is a buddy. This China for a new feature hasn’t prevented film and has received the paparazzi from support and advice from catching the two mentors Ang Lee (李安) flagrantly trying and Jackie Chan (成龍). to avoid public Chan’s own new feature scrutiny by leaving film Big Soldiers (大兵小將), various nightspots staring Wang, is scheduled surreptitiously, and by for release early next year. different exits.

BY Catherine Shu BY David Chen RESTAURANTS TIDBITS Kito Kito (魚丰魚丰) t’s all hip-hop and hot dogs Another house recom- the deep-fry selection, which BY David Chen at DJ, a “music and fast mendation, the cheese hot includes French fries (NT$100), Address: 2F, 15 Yongkang St, Taipei City (台北市永康街15號2樓) food” restaurant in a hipster dog (NT$130), is basically the fried potato wedges or “Golden Telephone: (02) 3322-5825 Open: 11am to 9:30pm Ineighborhood in the East American-style dog with a com- Fries” (NT$130), onion rings till stuck without Christmas Average meal: NT$198 to NT$398 District. A turntable booth bination of processed American (NT$100), chicken nuggets dinner plans? Have a look Details: Chinese picture menu; credit cards not accepted stocked with a collection of cheese and cheddar shreds (NT$120) and cheese sticks at Page 14 of the Dec. 10, rap and R ’n’ B vinyl takes up melted on top. The frankfurter (NT$120). Spicy chicken wings S2009, edition of the Taipei a sizable portion of the dining or “German wurst,” tasted much are also available for NT$180. Times (www.taipeitimes. ito Kito (魚丰魚丰) recently on your tongue. The dish was area. The shelves proudly display better than the average store- A flat screen TV hanging on com/News/feat/archives/2009/1 opened next to Yongkang served with ikura and tobiko albums by Eminem, Ying Yang bought sausage. DJ, which seats the wall played a DVD mix of 2/10/2003460570) for a rundown Park (永康公園) with a roe, slivers of green onion and a Twins, Michael Jackson and about 20 people, did this dog hip-hop and R ’n’ B. Scarfing of hotels, pubs and restaurants Kmenu that focuses on one thing: raw egg yolk. The fish eggs and Mariah Carey. right by keeping it simple. Look- down greasy food and watching offering yuletide meals, as chirashi, or sushi rice topped onion were distracting because I As for America’s favorite ing appropriately messy and rap videos almost felt like the well as a few tips on avoiding with seafood. The sparse but wanted to enjoy the uni sashimi snack, DJ offers seven varieties, lowbrow, the frankfurter arrived equivalent of getting mesmerized over-eating. comfortable restaurant offers a on its own. After I’d finished including the “American-style” with artificial-looking yellow by a Bollywood movie at an For latecomers, Carnegie’s mid-priced alternative for sushi the urchin, however, I mixed up hot dog (NT$90), which comes cheese blistering on top. The Indian restaurant. Halfway (Tel: (02) 2325-4433, www. lovers who forgot to make a the remaining ingredients; the loaded with onions, sauerkraut side of French fries and soda at through the meal, I suddenly carnegies.net) and Capone’s reservation at You Sushi (游壽司) two different types of roe held and pickles, and the chili hot an additional NT$70 delivered realized that I had sat through (Tel: 02-2773-3782, www. on Lishui Street (麗水街) and want together by the yolk created an Rice, rice baby. dog (labeled “spicy meat” on on “fast food” comfort. The only several clips by rappers Young capones.com.tw) are still serving to avoid Sushi Express (爭鮮), a interesting mix of textures and  Photo: Catherine Shu, Taipei Times the menu, NT$130). For the drawback was the slightly over- Buck and Lil’ Wayne, as well as Christmas dinners tomorrow. branch of which happens to be flavors. adventurous, there’s the calamari cooked bun. Mary J. Blige’s stylish video for Give and receive tonight located directly beneath Kito Kito. The big Kito chirashi is hot dog (NT$130), recommended Those with American-sized We Ride (I See the Future), in at the Taipei Artist Village’s Kito Kito’s prices are higher topped with three different types set meal (炸物綜合套餐, NT$268). by the friendly manager. appetites should also order from which she cruises Los Angeles bar, which is holding a than Sushi Express, but worth of sashimi (tuna, yellowtail Our batch of prawns, shrimp and the southern California traditional Christmas gift it for the quality ingredients and salmon), two raw prawns, and fish filet came to us directly coast on a chopper motorcycle. exchange. Anyone interested — and service is almost as quick. uni, tobiko and ikura roe, two from the deep fryer, with just the Consider getting takeout if such in participating should bring a Customers order at a counter scallops and a raw egg yolk. right amount of crunchy batter. a playlist would detract from present worth NT$500. and then wait at their table for Each of the ingredients on its You can choose from sweet and your hot dog moment. The exchange will be held the food to arrive; on several own was very good, but the sour sauce or honey mustard According to the manager, at midnight, but revelers who visits during different times of combination was somewhat dipping sauce (you have to pay DJ has more of a bar vibe in the arrive before 11pm receive the day, I received my orders overwhelming. The “flagship” NT$5 extra to get both). My evenings, when they turn down a free glass of a wine-based within five minutes. chirashi is a better bet for dining companion thought the the lights and have live DJs work punch. Drink specials include The two most expensive diners who shy away from raw two sauces were lackluster, but the turntables. The drink selection Peroni Beer for NT$100 all dishes are the uni and snow crab ingredients. In fact, the snow I liked the tiny mustard seeds in includes Budweiser (NT$120) night and Jameson shots for chirashi (海膽松葉蟹蓋飯), the Kito crab was so overcooked it was the sweet and sour sauce, which and Smirnoff Ice (NT$120), while NT$50 until midnight. Taipei seafood chirashi (魚丰海鮮蓋飯) hard to get out of the shell, even added a burst of unexpected teetotalers can have canned sodas Artist Village is located at 7 and the “flagship” chirashi 旗艦( with a small pick. On the other texture and spiciness every time or tea for NT$70, and Mango or Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北 蓋飯), which is loaded with snow hand, the meat was tasty and I bit into one. Cranberry juice for NT$90. 市北平東路7號). crab still in the shell and cooked succulent, despite the slightly Though it doesn’t quite match If planning a night out at the prawns, for NT$398 each. The rubbery texture. The prawns, the selection or the quality at pub to spread yuletide cheer, crabmeat in the uni and snow however, were tender but It’s all hip-hop and hot dogs Gusto Street Hot Dogs (located please remember to leave your crab chirashi is imitation, but the surprisingly filling. DJ Music and Fast Food at DJ. on Ruian Street (瑞安街) and open vehicles at home and take taxis quality of the sweet sea urchin For diners who prefer having  Photo: David Chen, Taipei Times only on weekends), DJ makes instead. The Taipei Times coral makes up for it. Each the health benefits of seafood Address: 9, Ln 62, Yanji Street, Taipei City (台北市延吉街62巷9號) for an acceptable quick fix if you wishes everyone a safe and piece is firm and has a melon- canceled out with batter and Telephone: (02) 8772-7628 Open: 11:30am to 11pm are in the neighborhood and in a merry Christmas. like flavor that slowly dissolves oil, try the fried combination Average Meal: NT$200 Details: Credit cards not accepted hip-hop mood.